Boot sock

ABSTRACT

This sock is particularly adapted for use with western type boots in which the heel portion is enlarged to a greater extent than the heels of regular boots and shoes. The entire length of the leg, foot and heel portions of this sock are knit of one or more body yarns and a main terry yarn forms terry loops throughout either the entire inner surface of the sock or at least in the heel. An auxiliary terry yarn is knit in plated relationship with the main terry yarn in at least the heel portion and may be knit in the adjacent areas above and below the heel portion and forms additional terry loops to provide additional fabric thickness in the heel and adjacent areas so that the heel portion of the sock fills in the enlarged heel of the western boot. The yarns forming the terry loops are hydrophobic to wick any moisture from the inside of the sock and away from the foot of the wearer.

[ Feb. 26, 1974 BOOT SOCK Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum Inventor:

James L. Thorneburg, Statesville, NC.

Assignee: Thorneburg Hosiery Mills, Inc.,

[57] ABSTRACT This sock is particularly adapted for use with westernStatesville, NC. i

type boots in which the heel portion 15 enlarged to a Filedi 19, 1972greater extent than the heels of regular boots and [21] Appl 255,095shoes. The entire length of the leg, foot and heel portions of this sockare knit of one or more body yarns and a main terry yarn forms terryloops throughout either the entire inner surface of the sock or at leastin the heel. An auxiliary terry yarn is knit in plated relationship withthe main terry yarn in at least the heel portion and may be knit in theadjacent areas above and below the heel portion and forms additionalterry References Cited loops to provide additional fabric thickness inthe heel UNITED STATES PATENTS and adjacent areas so that the heelportion of the sock fills in the enlarged heel of the western boot. Theyarns forming the terry loops are hydrophobic to wick any moisture fromthe inside of the sock and away from the foot of the wearer.

.. 66/194 X 66/185 X 66/186 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS B1rd DavisShea 568,560 12/1958 66/194 7 Claims, 3 w ng Figures BOOT SOCK Thisinvention relates to a seamless knit sock particularly adapted for usewith western type boots and including additional fabric thickness in theheel pocket and surrounding areas so that the heel portion tends to fillin the enlarged heel of the western boot and provide a more comfortablefit for the wearer than socks which do not include the additional fabricthickness provided by the additional terry loops in the sock of thepresent invention.

It is generally known to provide terry loops on the inner surface ofvarious types of socks, particularly those socks referred to as sweatsocks. This type of sock is used in various active participator sportsand the terry loops provide a cushion for the foot of the wearer,provide thermal insulating properties and may provide a means forwicking any perspiration away from the foot of the wearer.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a boot sock particularly adapted for use with western type bootswherein terry loops are formed of a main terry yarn extending throughoutthe entire length of the leg, heel and foot portions, or at least in theheel of the sock and an auxiliary terry yarn is knit in platedrelationship with the main terry yarn in at least the heel portion toform additional terry loops to provide additional fabric thickness inthe heel portion so that the thickened heel portion tends to fill in theenlarged heel of the western boot and provide a more comfortable fit forthe wearer.

In accordance with this invention, the leg, heel and foot portions ofthe sock are knit of elastic and inelastic body yarns which are platedduring the knitting operation. The inelastic yarn is hydrophilic toabsorb moisture and the elastic yarn is hydrophobic. The main andauxiliary terry yarns, wick moisture from the foot to the outer layer ofthe sock. The auxiliary terry yarn is also preferably knit in platedrelationship with the main terry yarn in the high spliced area extendingacross and above the heel pocket and in a sole splice area extendingacross and below the heel pocket. The auxiliary terry yarn forms terryloops in these areas above and below the heel pocket and is incorporatedon the inside of the sock. The auxiliary terry yarn is introduced andwithdrawn and cut adjacent opposite side edges of the high splice andsole splice areas to provide loose ends of yarn on the inside of thesock.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the sock of the present invention,turned inside out from the position in which it is worn;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view of that small portionof the sock enclosed by the dotted rectangle 2 in FIG. 1 andillustrating the manner in which the additional terry yarn isincorporated in the sock; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially alongthe line 33 in FIG. 2.

The sock illustrated in FIG. 1 is preferably knit on a circular hosieryknitting machine and includes an upper rib knit cuff 10, a leg portion11, a heel pocket 12, a foot portion 13, and a toe pocket 14 which isclosed by a line of looping or stitching, indicated at 15. A high splicearea 16 extends substantially one-half the distance around the legportion 11 and is centered above the heel pocket 12. A sole splice area17 extends substantially one-half the distance around the foot portion13 and is centered below the heel pocket 12. Although the relative sizesof the high splice area 16 and the sole splice area 17 may be varied asdesired, it is preferred that the height of the high splice area beapproximately three times the height of the sole splice area 17. In thepresent instance, the flattened sock is approximately 4% inches from oneside to the other and the high splice area 16 extends upwardly a lengthof 3% inches while the length of the sole splice area 17 extendsapproximately 1 inch below the heel pocket 12.

In the leg portion 11 complete courses of stitch loops are formed of oneor more body yarns, indicated at B-1 and B-2 in FIGS. 2 and 3. A mainterry yarn, indicated at T-l, is knit in plated relationship with thebody yarn and is illustrated as forming terry loops in the sinker walesthroughout the inner surface of the leg 11. The main terry yarn T-l alsoforms terry loops in the heel pocket 12, sole splice area 17, foot 13and toe pocket 14. An auxiliary terry yarn T-2 is knit in platedrelationship with the main terry yarn T-l and the body yarns in the highsplice area 16, the heel pocket 12, and the sole splice area 17 to formadditional terry loops and to provide additional fabric thickness inthese areas.

The main terry yarn T-l and the auxiliary yarn T-2 are hydrophobic andpreferably formed of acrylic fibers, such as Orlon. The body yarn B-l ishydrophobic and is preferably a textured nylon which has been twisted orcrimped to make it stretchable or elastic while the body yarn B-2 ishydrophilic and is preferably formed of natural fibers, such as cottonor wool. During the knitting of the sock, the yarns are plated so thatthe stretchable nylon body yarn B1 is maintained outside of the cottonbody yarn 8-2. The outer nylon yarn 8-] thus protects the inner cottonbody yarn 8-2 against wear. The terry loops of the terry yarns T-l andT-2 (hydrophobic) are maintained on the inside of the sock so that anymoisture or perspiration from the foot of the wearer will be wicked tothe outside and away from the foot of the wearer. Also, the stretchablenylon body yarn B-l maintains the sock against the foot of the wearerand provides sufficient stretch that the sock will fit a range of footsizes.

The sock illustrated in FIG. 1 is knit on a circular hosiery knittingmachine, and is preferably knit from the top to the toe. The usualmake-up courses are first formed on both the cylinder and dial needlesand the ribbed cuff portion 10 is then knit with the elastic nylon bodyyarn B-1 and inelastic cotton body yarn B-2 being knit in platedrelationship.

Upon completion of the desired length of ribbed cuff portion 10, the leg11 is knit on the cylinder needles only and knit of the body yarns B-1and B-2 while the main terry yarn T-l is knit in plated relationshiptherewith and terry loops are formed in the sinker wales on the insideof the leg portion 1 1. At the upper end of the high splice area 16, theauxiliary terry yarn T-2 is introduced and knit in plated relationshipwith the main terry yarn T-2 and in those needle wales extendingsubstantially one-half the distance around the sock and above the heel12. The knitting of the auxiliary yarn T-2 in this area is accomplishedby feeding this yam to only those needles in that half of the needlecylinder which knit the heel pocket by means of a chopper feed finger.The auxiliary yarn T-2 is floated inside of the needles which knit thefront half of the sock and passes over a dial plate which is providedwith a cutter to automatically cut and clamp the yarn end extending fromthe last active or knitting needle. This yarn end is held until it ispicked up and withdrawn by the first active needle in the next course toleave loose yarn ends extending inwardly of the sock and along oppositesides of the high splice area 16. These loose or cut ends of the yarnT-2 are indicated at E in FIGS. 1 and 2.

During the knitting of the heel pocket 12, the needle cylinderreciprocates in the usual manner and the number of needles knitting isgradually decreased in the upper portion of the heel pocket. The numberof needles knitting is then increased in the lower portion of the heelpocket to form a gore line, indicated at 19 in FIG. 1. During theknitting of the heel pocket 12, both body yarns B-1 and B-2 as well asboth terry yarns T-l and T-2 are fed to all of the active needles andterry loops are formed of both terry yarns. As is well known, theneedles which form the instep or front portion of the sock hold thestitch loops of the corresponding part of the last full cores in the legportion 11 until completion of the knitting of the heel pocket 12.

Upon completion of the knitting of the heel pocket 12, the needlecylinder again rotates and full courses are knit in the foot portion 13with the body yarns B-l, B-2 and the main terry yarn T-l being fed toand knit on all needles while the auxiliary terry yarn T2 is fed to andknit on those needles which formed the heel pocket to provide additionalterry loops in the sole splice portion 17. Again, the auxiliary terryyarn T-2 is introduced and withdrawn from knitting position and cut toform loose ends E at opposite sides of the sole splice area 17. Uponcompletion of the knitting of the sole splice area 17, the auxiliaryterry yarn T-2 is withdrawn and the foot portion 13 and toe pocket 14are knit of the yarns B-l, B-2, and T-l. The toe pocket 14 is formed inthe usual manner with reciprocation of the needle cylinder and the toepocket is closed by the line of looping or stitching 15.

Thus, the additional thickness in the heel pocket 12 and in the adjacenthigh splice area 16 and sole splice area 17 is provided by theadditional terry loops formed of the auxiliary terry yarn T-2. When awestern type boot is worn with this sock, this additional thickness offabric in the heel area tends to fill in the enlarged heel of thewestern boot and provides a more comfortable fit to the wearer.

Although the sock of the present invention has been illustrated anddescribed as having terry loops, knit of the main terry yarn T-l,extending throughout the entire length of the leg 11, high splice 16,heel l2, sole splice area 17, foot 13 and toe 14, it is only necessarythat the terry loops knit of the main terry yarn T-l be formed in atleast the heel pocket 12. If desired, the main terry loops may extendthroughout the toe pocket 14, along the entire length of the lower soleportion of the foot 13, and throughout the heel pocket 12. Also, themain terry loops may be provided in the high splice area 16. Theadditional terry loops, formed of the terry yarn T-2, may be providedonly in the heel pocket 12.

The additional terry loops may also be provided in the high splice area16, or the auxiliary terry loops may be formed in the heel pocket 12 andthe sole splice area 17. In any case, the provision of main terry loopsand auxiliary terry loops in the heel area of the sock will provideadditional fabric thickness in the heel area so that this area of thesock more completely fills in the enlarged heel of a western boot toprovide a more comfortable fit to the wearer.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. A seamless knitted sock particularly adapted for use with westerntype boots comprising leg, heel and foot portions knit throughout ofbody yarn, a main terry yarn forming terry loops throughout the innersurface of said leg, heel and foot portion and an auxiliary terry yarnknit in plated relationship with said main terry yarn in said heelportion and forming additional terry loops to provide additional fabricthickness in said heel portion so that said heel portion tends to fillin the enlarged heel of a western boot.

2. A sock according to claim 1 wherein said leg includes a high splicearea extending substantially onehalf the distance around said leg andbeing centered above said heel portion, and wherein said auxiliary terryyarn is also knit in plated relationship with said main terry yarn insaid high splice area and forms additional terry loops to provideadditional fabric thickness in said high splice area.

3. A sock according to claim 2 wherein said auxiliary terry yarn is cutto provide loose ends on the inside of said sock and along oppositesides of said high splice area.

4. A sock according to claim 2 wherein said foot includes a sole splicearea extending substantially onehalf the distance around said foot andbeing centered below said heel portion, and wherein said auxiliary terryyarn is knit in plated relationship with said main terry yarn in saidsole splice area and forms additional terry loops to provide additionalfabric thickness in said sole splice area.

5. A sock according to claim 4 wherein said auxiliary terry yarn is cutto provide loose ends on the inside of said sock and along oppositesides of said sole splice area.

6. A sock according to claim 4 wherein the height of said high splicearea is approximately three times the height of said sole splice area.

7. A sock according to claim 1 wherein said leg, heel and foot portionsare knit throughout of an elastic body yarn and an inelastic body yarnknit in plated relationship and wherein said inelastic body yarn ishydrophilic and said main and auxiliary terry yarns are hydrophobic towick perspiration away from the foot of the wearer and to the outside ofthe sock where it is absorbed by said inelastic body yarn and held awayfrom the foot of the wearer.

1. A seamless knitted sock particularly adapted for use with westerntype boots comprising leg, heel and foot portions knit throughout ofbody yarn, a main terry yarn forming terry loops throughout the innersurface of said leg, heel and foot portion and an auxiliary terry yarnknit in plated relationship with said main terry yarn in said heelportion and forming additional terry loops to provide additional fabricthickness in said heel portion so that said heel portion tends to fillin the enlarged heel of a western boot.
 2. A sock according to claim 1wherein said leg includes a high splice area extending substantiallyone-half the distance around said leg and being centered above said heelportion, and wherein said auxiliary terry yarn is also knit in platedrelationship with said main terry yarn in said high splice area andforms additional terry loops to provide additional fabric thickness insaid high splice area.
 3. A sock according to claim 2 wherein saidauxiliary terry yarn is cut to provide loose ends on the inside of saidsock and along opposite sides of said high splice area.
 4. A sockaccording to claim 2 wherein said foot includes a sole splice areaextending substantially one-half the distance around said foot and beingcentered below said heel portion, and wherein said auxiliary terry yarnis knit in plated relationship with said main terry yarn in said solesplice area and forms additional terry loops to provide additionalfabric thickness in said sole splice area.
 5. A sock according to claim4 wherein said auxiliary terry yarn is cut to provide loose ends on theinside of said sock and along opposite sides of said sole splice area.6. A sock according to claim 4 wherein the height of said high splicearea is approximately three times the height of said sole splice area.7. A sock according to claim 1 wherein said leg, heel and foot portionsare knit throughout of an elastic body yarn and an inelastic body yarnknit in plated relationship and wherein said inelastic body yarn ishydrophilic and said main and auxiliary terry yarns are hydrophobic towick perspiration away from the foot of the wearer and to the outside ofthe sock where it is absorbed by said inelastic body yarn and held awayfrom the foot of the wearer.